COLUMBUS, Ohio – Former Ohio State wrestler John Clark has accepted an assistant coaching position at Stanford University, Cardinal head coach Kerry McCoy announced Friday. Clark, who lettered at Ohio State from 2001-2004, will begin his first coaching assignment this fall.

“What I learned during my time at Ohio State will help me further pursue a career in wrestling,” Clark said. “I owe a lot of credit to the coaching staff at Ohio State. Russ (Hellickson), Kenny (Ramsey) and my brother Mitch have prepared me to be able to get a coaching position at a major program. The big-school mentality that I was exposed to at Ohio State also will help at Stanford. I am excited to move out west and begin my coaching career.”

Clark is a two-time All-American, becoming the ninth Buckeye to earn multiple All-America honors after placing fifth and sixth, respectively, at the 2004 and 2003 NCAA Championships. A 2004 team captain, Clark finished his OSU tenure fourth in career wins (134) and is third all-time in takedowns (486) and team points (432.0). Clark joins OSU’s Tommy Rowlands and Adam DiSabato as the only Buckeye wrestlers to reach 400 career takedowns and 400 team points.

“We are proud and happy for John,” Russ Hellickson, wrestling head coach said. “He will bring the same intensity he had as a wrestler to coaching. He will be a valuable commodity at any level.”